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Performances
CDT offers a variety of performance opportunities throughout the year for all of our classes, including a year-end recital. An end of the year recital for a dancer is like the big game for a football player. Dancers work hard in preparation and the experience is both memorable and rewarding. Teachers choreograph a special dance for each class within the theme of the recital. In keeping with the teaching philosophy of CDT, choreography is taught to the students in a positive, age-appropriate manner. Our teachers respect the process as much as the final product. We are a non-competitive studio, and all of our participants are winners! Our dancers will gain confidence and take pride in performing for an appreciative audience full of CDT families and friends!
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Scroll down for more info on all the performance opportunities throughout the year as well as our current Recital FAQs.
Open House
Every December each class hosts an open house for families during the last class before the end of the year. Students spend weeks preparing holiday-themed choreography, and get a popcorn party at the end.
Winter Showcase
Our older students and performing groups perform an annual Winter Showcase that is open to the public, and takes place at a local auditorium. TOPs members also showcase their own choreography projects at this event.
Community Performances
Jr TOPs and TOPs routinely perform at local street fairs, retirement homes, and events.
Recital
Every May our studio holds our annual recital at a local auditorium. Each class prepares a dance and spends months working towards it, and we view it as the “grand finale” to the year of dance.
San Diego County Fair
Every year, our older dancers perform their recital pieces at the fair on a designated day.
Recital FAQs:
Q: When and where is the 2026 Recital?
A: The recital will be Friday and Saturday May 15th and 16th, 2026 at Dana Middle School. Show times are as follows: Friday 6:30-8, Saturday 11-1, Saturday 3:30-5:30. You will receive an email letting you know which show your child's class will perform in.
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Q: How do I purchase tickets for the recital?
A: Your child will receive 4 tickets that can be used for one show with their recital fee that can be picked up in the lobby at dress rehearsal. Additional tickets can be purchased for $15 each at the door.
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Q: Will my child perform at one or both curtain times?
A: Classes will perform in one of the two shows with the exception of our performing groups and some older classes that will perform in both. If you have more than one child and/or your child is enrolled in more than one class, there is a chance they could be split in separate shows. The class lists for both shows will be posted at the studio in April.
Q: Does my child have to participate in the dress rehearsal?
A: All performers will be required to attend the mandatory Dress Rehearsal in accordance with their respective show. The only absences that will be excused are High School Senior’s commencement exercises or an illness with a doctor’s note. Please understand that out of fairness to ALL performers, we cannot consider any other absence. If a dancer misses rehearsal they will not be allowed to perform in the Recital.
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Q: Why is there a costume fee?
A: Our teachers spend a great deal of time figuring measurements into sizes, sorting through catalogs, and selecting and ordering costumes. Our goal is to find age appropriate, affordable, and attractive costumes that the dancers will love and get to keep and can wear again for dance class, dress up, Halloween, etc. For dancers in classes with the minimum age requirement below 11, the costume fee is $75 per costume. For dancers in classes marked as age 11 and above, the costume fee is $85 per costume. You may combine your Costume Fee with your monthly tuition payment.
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Q: Why is there a recital fee?
Our Recitals are not for profit. We understand that the total expense per family is significant. We have been told by many families that it is well worth it! There are a multitude of costs associated with putting on a big production, not the least being the venue rental and required tech and custodial staff. The recital fee is $70 per family, and each family will receive 4 tickets. The tickets will be distributed at Dress Rehearsal. Additional tickets are $15 each as seating permits. Performing dancers do not need a ticket. You may combine your Recital Fee with your monthly tuition payment.
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Q: What fees are associated with my child performing at the San Diego County Fair?
A: A second opportunity for older dancers to perform their Recital dances and wear their costumes will be at the annual San Diego County Fair. More information will be sent home once our day/time has been assigned to us. It will be on a weekday in the late afternoon, after the Recital in June. There is no additional fee for dancers who perform in our Recital. The Fair will provide a complimentary entry pass for each performer but not for their adult chaperone.
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2026 Recital Update (3/7/2026)
To our dancers and parents:
I want to let you know of a venue change for the recital.
Unfortunately, Clairemont High School now has a school event the same weekend as our recital, and school activities always take precedence over rentals (understandably).
At this time of year, finding an available venue large enough for our recital on all our dates is extremely difficult. Fortunately we were lucky to contract with Dana Middle School (1775 Chatsworth Bl, San Diego, CA 92107) for all of our needs from the Thursday rehearsal - Saturday performances.
The only snag is that Dana is not available for our Wednesday rehearsal (for the 11:00 Saturday morning recital). We will hold that rehearsal at a different venue (maybe even at Clairemont High) but we don't have a confirmed reservation yet.
I recognize the location change might be less convenient for some, but I am glad we found a spot fairly central in San Diego proper. I'm even hopeful that at Dana the air conditioning will be working at full capacity, even if it's a warm day!
This is a new school for our organization to perform in, so I only have the knowledge I am already sharing with you. As I receive more information, I will make sure to send that your way (such as parking information, bathrooms, location of the theatre, etc.).
I am appreciative and hugely grateful that we have a venue at this late stage and that I know our families will rally around to make this the best recital yet!
Thank you for your patience and understanding,
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Erika
